Carbon dioxide is a tasteless, colorless, and odorless gas. It is a certain chemical compound that consists of two carbon atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. At normal temperature, it is a gas and is found mainly near earth's atmosphere when in gas state. It comprises of approximately 37.9148% of the atmosphere. It is about seven and a half times as dense as air. In water, it forms a weak form of acid known as carbonic acid. When temperatures drop to -10°, carbon dioxide will change from a gas state to a solid state, more commonly known as dry ice. It is much, much colder than regular ice and can give the skin frostbite, like regular ice, except much quicker. To go through this process, carbon dioxide will first
liquidize then quickly solidify and form dry ice.
Picture of dry ice ^
Carbon dioxide, in large quantities, can cause severe health problems and may eventually lead to death. A 1% concentration of carbon dioxide may make people feel a bit drowsy, but will not affect the mind or body in any fatal way. However, once the concentration goes up to a 7-10% concentration, it may cause headaches, dizziness, visual and hearing impairments, and unconsciousness within an hour.
Carbon dioxide is inhaled by plants and exhaled by humans. A common source of carbon dioxide is from plants. They inhale carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and exhale oxygen, the exact opposite of what humans do. One example of a very rare source of carbon dioxide are fossil fuels, or the combustion of vegetation matter amongst other chemicals.
Though it may seem dangerous and like the type of gas you want to avoid, carbon dioxide is actually very useful. You may not believe this. But you probably use carbon dioxide or see it in action almost every day! For instance, humans, like said earlier on, require carbon dioxide to survive. You might think that humans don't require carbon dioxide because you exhale it out anyway, but it's an essential part to life. You probably don't even realize that every time you cook bread or wheat, what causes the yeast to rise is actually carbon dioxide! There's a lot more that carbon dioxide is used for. Did you know that the fizz in your soda is actually just carbon dioxide? However, don't get worried: Carbon dioxide in beverages have a very low concentration, and will not do anything to harm you at all.
11/15/10
Period 5
Carbon Dioxide
6 Errors
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a tasteless, colorless, and odorless gas. It is a certain chemical compound that consists of two carbon atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. At normal temperature, it is a gas and is found mainly near earth's atmosphere when in gas state. It comprises of approximately 37.9148% of the atmosphere. It is about seven and a half times as dense as air. In water, it forms a weak form of acid known as carbonic acid. When temperatures drop to -10°, carbon dioxide will change from a gas state to a solid state, more commonly known as dry ice. It is much, much colder than regular ice and can give the skin frostbite, like regular ice, except much quicker. To go through this process, carbon dioxide will first
liquidize then quickly solidify and form dry ice.
Picture of dry ice ^
Carbon dioxide, in large quantities, can cause severe health problems and may eventually lead to death. A 1% concentration of carbon dioxide may make people feel a bit drowsy, but will not affect the mind or body in any fatal way. However, once the concentration goes up to a 7-10% concentration, it may cause headaches, dizziness, visual and hearing impairments, and unconsciousness within an hour.
Carbon dioxide is inhaled by plants and exhaled by humans. A common source of carbon dioxide is from plants. They inhale carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and exhale oxygen, the exact opposite of what humans do. One example of a very rare source of carbon dioxide are fossil fuels, or the combustion of vegetation matter amongst other chemicals.
Though it may seem dangerous and like the type of gas you want to avoid, carbon dioxide is actually very useful. You may not believe this. But you probably use carbon dioxide or see it in action almost every day! For instance, humans, like said earlier on, require carbon dioxide to survive. You might think that humans don't require carbon dioxide because you exhale it out anyway, but it's an essential part to life. You probably don't even realize that every time you cook bread or wheat, what causes the yeast to rise is actually carbon dioxide! There's a lot more that carbon dioxide is used for. Did you know that the fizz in your soda is actually just carbon dioxide? However, don't get worried: Carbon dioxide in beverages have a very low concentration, and will not do anything to harm you at all.
Sources/references
http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/chemweek/pdf/CarbonDioxide.pdf
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/encyclopedia/entry/carbondio
http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/carbondioxide.html
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